The National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade Broadcast - National Cherry Blossom Festival (2024)

FAQs

What is the meaning of the National Cherry Blossom Festival? ›

The National Cherry Blossom Festival commemorates the 1912 gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo to the city of Washington, DC, and celebrates the enduring friendship between the people of the United States and Japan.

Claire Anne Inouye was crowned the 2024 Cherry Blossom Queen. The Queen Program is a year-long commitment which introduces the Queen and Court to the Japanese and Japanese American community of Northern California, providing them with hands-on experiences preparing them for involvement and leadership.

Notably, it marks Japan's gifting of 3000 cherry trees to the US in 1912. 2. The Cherry Blossom Festival was first celebrated in the year 1935 but was suspended during the World War II years. It was re-organized in 1947 and has been celebrated every year ever since.

The Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival, known as 'Sakura', signifies the welcoming of Spring. The act of celebrating the festival is called 'hanami', which literally translates to 'the viewing of flowers', with the traditions of the festival itself dating back over a thousand years.

The embodiment of beauty and mortality

It symbolizes both life and death, beauty and violence. As the coming of spring promises new life, so the blooming of cherry blossoms brings a sense of vitality and vibrancy. At the same time, their short lifespan is a reminder that life is fleeting.

While the cherry trees recognize the arrival of winter by sensing a decline in daylight, they detect the arrival of spring based on temperature. They wait for what's called a "temperature sum"— basically a bunch of warm days in a row. (The precise temperatures and durations required vary by plant.)

The planting of cherry trees in Washington DC originated in 1912 as a gift of friendship to the People of the United States from the People of Japan. In Japan, the flowering cherry tree, or "Sakura," is an important flowering plant. The beauty of the cherry blossom is a symbol with rich meaning in Japanese culture.

The development of cherry blossom viewing, and the production of cultivars, is therefore considered to have taken place primarily in Japan.

The best viewing of the cherry blossom trees typically lasts four to seven days after peak bloom begins, but the blossoms can last for up to two weeks under ideal conditions. For more tips to help plan your visit, make sure to check out our list of things you need to know about the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

What do you wear to a cherry blossom parade? ›

Light pink, white, even a baby blue are beautiful compliments to the pink blossoms. I suggest staying away from greens if your location is surrounded by grass. Add in something dark like a navy blazer for Dad or denim for the boys. Round out the the palette with neutrals like oatmeal and white and you're all set!

Welcome to the National Independence Day Parade Website!

We are excited for the return of the National Independence Day Parade in 2024! The parade will begin LIVE on Constitution Ave. between 7th and 17th St. in Washington, DC at 11:45 am EDT.

For many Japanese, the blooming of the cherry blossom trees symbolises human life, transience and nobleness. The Japanese love to celebrate and cherish the cherry blossoms trees during the limited flowering period and many people hold 'flower watching' parties known as hanami.

The tradition of celebrating the blooming of cherry trees in Japan is centuries old. The planting of cherry trees in Washington DC originated in 1912 as a gift of friendship to the People of the United States from the People of Japan.

Sakura hold significance in both religions. In the case of Shinto, Japan's ethnic religion, sakura are thought to house kami (sacred spirits or forces). Meanwhile, the ephemeral nature of the cherry blossoms mirrors the great importance of transience in Buddhist doctrine.

The Nationals' City Connect uniforms were first released in March 2022 in celebration of DC's annual cherry blossom festival. The jerseys feature a branch of pink blossoms overlaying WSH, an abbreviation of the city's name. The grey fabric features an illustrative pattern of cherry blossoms.